Tale of the Tape: How 49ers matchup vs Broncos, Titans for Manning

Peyton Manning has a decision to make. Does he choose Door Nos. 1, 2 or 3 between the 49ers, Denver Broncos and Tennessee Titans?

All three teams have made their pitch to Manning, a likely first-ballot Hall of Famer who the Indianpolis Colts released March 7. The Arizona Cardinals and Miami Dolphins have dropped out of the race.

Let’s take a look at six categories the three alleged finalists offer the man who wears No. 18 (see how I did that: 6 x 3 = 18):

OFFENSIVE WEAPONS

Advertisement

49ers: Randy Moss’ arrival Monday instantly made this offense at least more intriguing, if not dangerous. Tight end Vernon Davis is coming off a clutch winning touchdown catch in a playoff win, and Michael Crabtree made some strides last season. Frank Gore, the franchise’s all-time leading rusher, is coming off a 1,211-yard season and could benefit from a stronger passing attack. Kendall Hunter, Delanie Walker, Bruce Miller and, yes, Kyle Williams have been complementary pieces at times.

Broncos: Amid all the hype of Tebow-mania, the Broncos produced the NFL’s No. 1 rushing attack, led by Willis McGahee’s 1,199 yards. Eddie Royal’s departure for the Chargers hurts and neither of their top receivers last year eclipsed 1,000 yards, Eric Decker (612) and Demaryius Thomas (551).

Titans: Chris Johnson is one of the NFL’s most dynamic rushers, having rushed for 2,006 yards in 2009. Johnson, however, tallied 2,411 the past two seasons combined. Nate Washington led the receiving corps with 1,023 yards last season, followed by Jared Cook, Damian Williams and Lavell Hawkins.(Addition: The offense added guard Steve Hutchinson this week. Also, Kenny Britt, their 2009 first-round draft pick, is coming off a torn ACL and MCL.)

* * *

FRONT OFFICE/OWNERSHIP

49ers: CEO Jed York publicly deferred any Manning-related decision to general manager Trent Baalke and coach Jim Harbaugh. All three of them previously voiced a desire to re-sign Alex Smith, and none have commented about Manning’s workout and subsequent physical for them.

Broncos: John Elway, their vice president of football operations and two-time Super Bowl winner, appears to be spearheading Manning’s recruitment. Elway and team officials hosted Manning inDenverlast weekend, then visited him Friday in North Carolina. The Broncos reportedly have the most salary cap space available at $43.9 million, followed by the Titans at $26.3 million and the 49ers at $18 million.

Titans: Owner Bud Adams offered this pointed demand regarding Manning: “He’s the man I want, period.” As a result, the Titans sent a six-man contingent to Knoxville, Tenn., for a Saturday workout with Manning.

* * *

COACH

Advertisement

49ers: Jim Harbaugh (2nd year). Upon the Colts drafting Manning first overall in 1998, he succeeded Harbaugh as their quarterback. Harbaugh became the fourth coach in NFL history to win 13 games his first year upon inheriting a team with a losing record the previous season. He is the AP’s reigning NFL Coach of The Year, an award Alex Smith accepted on his behalf last month.

Broncos: John Fox (2nd year). He took the Broncos to the playoffs in his first season, having coached the Carolina Panthers the previous nine seasons. Did you see the video of Fox repeatedly patting Manning on the back at Friday’s workout?

Titans: Mike Munchak (2nd year). This former Houston Oilers guard was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2001. A year ago, he landed his first head coaching job, replacing Jeff Fisher as Titans coach.

* * *

DIVISION

49ers: NFC West – The 49ers are reigning champions, winning the division last season for the first time since 2002. The Arizona Cardinals, whom Manning visited, finished second by going 8-8 and winning seven of the last nine games. The Seattle Seahawks went 7-9, were swept by the 49ers and are searching for a new quarterback, which could be Alex Smith if the 49ers don’t re-sign him. The St. Louis Rams are coming off a 2-14 season, but they traded away the No. 2 overall draft pick for three first-rounders and could be stocked in future seasons.

Broncos: AFC West – Welcome to parity. The Broncos went to the playoffs after finishing in a three-way tie for first with the Raiders and Chargers, all with 8-8 records. The Chargers have dominated the division the past decade only to perennially falter in the playoffs. The Raiders are transitioning to a new coach (Dennis Allen) and general manager (Reggie McKenzie) in the post-Al Davis era. Don’t rule out the Chiefs, who went 7-9 in last season’s injury-riddled campaign; the Chiefs won the division in 2010 with a 10-6 record.

Titans: AFC South –Manning and the Colts won this division seven of the eight seasons prior to 2011. The Houston Texans snared last season’s crown in Manning’s absence. The Titans franchise has never won the Super Bowl but did reach that stage in the 1999 season, losing 23-16 to St. Louis.

* * *

LEFT TACKLE

49ers: Joe Staley (6-foot-5, 315 pounds). A five-year veteran, he broke through for his first Pro Bowl last season. He is signed through 2017. Has spent the past couple weeks touring Europe.

Broncos: Ryan Clady (6-6, 315 pounds). The 12th overall draft pick in 2008, he made the Pro Bowl last season and in 2009. He did not allow a sack in his first 20 starts and won the Broncos’ Ed Block Courage Award in 2010 by starting every game despite offseason knee surgery.

Titans: Michael Roos (6-7, 320 pounds). He has started every game in his seven-year career. He made his only Pro Bowl four seasons ago.

* * *

INTANGIBLES

49ers: Of the three finalists, the 49ers are the only one that came within an overtime defeat of the Super Bowl. They could offer Manning his best path to a second Super Bowl ring. Elite defense and special teams were last season’s key ingredients — and unmatched by the Broncos and Titans. The 49ers are kings again of the Bay Area sports scene, and, we may be bias, but also the best place to live in the world, especially if you can afford a house with the kind of loot Manning would get. His tenure would accompany the building of a long-awaited new stadium.

Broncos: So they have this guy John Elway looming over the franchise. He and Manning seem to have a nice connection. But on the field, the Broncos have holes to fill offensively, and Manning could help recruit some of his old pals or new ones. They are in the best financial shape, too. Nice stadium that isn’t as cold a home as you think.

Titans: He could return to the state where he played college football. His wife Ashley was born and raised in Memphis, and they became parents of twins last year. Owner Bud Adams vowed a lifetime contract for Manning, so he’d have that going for him when he’s done playing.

Cam Inman

Post navigation

Not sure I’ve heard that the Niners have made a pitch , if so do tell …!!

Oaksterdam

Can he caddie?

latopia

The pitch is, with Peyton Manning, the 9ers become the 2012 version of the 2011 Eagles — a super sure thing of a superstar team for the next Super Stupor Bowl.

Sam Adams

Hey Cam – I want the niners to get Peyton, but you can’t short change the Titans – they have Kenny Britt, heard of him?

John Nicholson

With current management and coach Harbaugh{ who has his finger on the pulse} ala Walsh/Lombardi this team with Manning will be in strong contention for the next 2 superbowels. Their arising QB Colin K will be ready to take over in 2 to 3 years.

Mike

So, in conclusion, the Denver Broncos offer Peyton Manning the best chance to win. No real surprise there.

John

Harbaugh and Roman fly out to meet Manning and watch him workout. They are impressed enough to send their medical staff to evaluate Manning the next day. Obviously the niners have told Manning they want to sign him or Harbaugh wouldn’t have made the trip.

quatic

2012 version of the 2011 eagles?! The Eagles only wish their def was half as good as the 49ers….with Manning San Francisco will not become the 2011 Eagles but the 2012 Super Bowl Champs! Mark My Words! 2012 Super Bowl Champs!

rjberryx

Very nice summary, Cam. I will keep my fingers crossed but I am not one to say PM coming to the niners would make them a favorite for the SB. Every year is different and all it takes is one play – either way.

snsf49erloyal

IMHO -> Nothing is guaranteed, every year is different “That is why they play the game”!!

DasDweeb

Boils down to this: To win it all – Niners; to make the most cash while rebuilding – Broncos; to be in the place his family would probably choose – Titans. I have fear in my heart it would end up being the last of those three.

Don’t think he wants to rebuild in Denver, the defense is porous and aging, and who needs the Tebow hangover? Plus, Broncos QBs took 43 sacks last year — not all of those can be attributed to Tim’s remedial reading.

Meanwhile, Houston didn’t look so dominant last year and now Mario’s gone — plus, he could play against Luck for three years, before Indy can dig out of its huge, huge hole. So I’m afraid Tennessee might look pretty good to the Mannings.

But then, I’m a fearful guy. I also fear him picking the Niners, us losing Alex, and in the 1st game of the season, someone busting through our gaping hole at RG and ending the career of our $18-m/season man. Harbaalke better believe Kaep can take us to the promised land …!

Sorry guys, Manning is going to Tennesee. It’s home for his family. He’s only got a few years left in this league and he can be the Titans Assistant to the assistant pro player personnel director once he retires. Chris Johnson can take some pressure off him and they will play the Colts twice a year. Maybe even win the division with a Mario Williams-less Texans team.
Denver would be a huge mistake for him. They backed into the playoffs last season. Fox is a marginal Head Coach and the offensive weapons have a lot to be desired.
Having Manning out on the left coast would be awesome. And of the three teams we offer the best opportunity to go to the Super Bowl immediately. However, if winning or going to the Super Bowl was at the forefront of Manning’s mind, I would be watching a press conference with a smiling Jim Harbaugh and Trent Baalke whilst feverishly ordering my brand new Scarlet and gold #18 jersey online. Clearly it’s not…

Syarman

Alex was offered a 24 mil/3 year deal. Sounds good to me. With all the monies he’s earned the previous years and no production until 2011, I thought he would have accepted the offer. Who cares what Sanchez got in NY, he obviously did,so I hear. Well, hope it works out for him. Think he’s getting the run around. Biz is biz.

Rodney

The decision really will come down to what he thinks is most important:
A – winning another ring to keep up with his little brother or
B – what he does with the rest of his post-playing career.

If A is most important, then he’ll land in SF. If life after the following 2-3 years is most important, then he’ll be in Tennessee. Other than a high level of respect for John Elway and not knowing at the time that the Niners were even in the hunt, I don’t believe Denver would remain in the running. If SF is offering the same money – and all things being equal, this is how the decision will shake out.

Rest assured, Archie has made his thoughts known on the matter. My instinct tells me he’s already made a decision. The rest – at this point is really about being respectful to the serious teams that showed him the interest and were contenders before SF entered the arena.

On Tuesday, the Streets of SF will be rumbling with the fallout from his decision. One, what happens with Smith, SF and his new manager or two, life with their new field manager: Manning. There you have it.

Dave

Keep Alex Smith, manning will be done in a couple of years. Smith is no Manning but with the addition of Manningham and Moss with Gore, Davis, and Crabtree the offense will do just fine.The Red Zone problem the team had last year looks (on paper) to be solved. Just lay the ball up and let Moss or Manningham go up and snatch it from the smaller DBs. Theres nothing wrong with “kicking some tires”,It would be awesome to have Peyton Manning, the guys a HOFamer but I think he wants to stay in the AFC.

tim

Denver has to be crazy to be in the hunt for Peyton; like mentioned in article, one hit and no more Peyton. Look at the players Denver has passed on in the FA market because they are waiting for this prima donna to make his decision…they could of spent the same cash on Mario…just imagine a defensive front with Von, Elvis and Mario…..but now we wait and watch as Peyton will go to another team, then Tebow leaves and leads his new team to the SB, while Denver will be stuck with Tyler Thigpen and Matt Lienhart and goes 1-15 and gets the #1 pick in 2013